Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, often referred to as modern day slavery, is the sale of adults and children into commercial sexual servitude and forced or bonded labor. Human trafficking is the second largest – and fastest growing – criminal industry in the world.[1]

The International Labor Organization estimates that there are at least 20.9.3 million adults and children in forced labor, bonded labor, and commercial sexual servitude at any given time. Of these victims, Of these victims, 11.4 million are women or girls and approximately 4.5 million are estimated to be victims of forced sexual exploitation.[2]

Human trafficking is a public safety, public health, and human rights issue that occurs around the world and in communities throughout Minnesota. Someplace Safe partners with local, regional, state, and national groups, special Task Forces, and a variety of other organizations to improve systems response for victims and survivors of human trafficking, foster opportunities for community awareness and education, train professionals and service providers, and of course, provide direct advocacy services for those individuals in need.

Terminology

Human trafficking is a public safety, public health, and human rights abuse that occurs around the world and in communities throughout Minnesota. Human trafficking includes both labor and sex trafficking and international and domestic victims.

Sex Trafficking

Minnesota law defines sex trafficking as the “receiving, recruiting, enticing, harboring, providing, or obtaining by any means an individual to aid in the prostitution of an individual; or by receiving profit of anything of value, knowing or having reason to know it is derived from [the sex trafficking of an individual].” Minn. Stat. 609.321, Subd. 7a.

Labor Trafficking

Minnesota law defines labor trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, enticement, provision, obtaining, or receipt of a person by any means, for the purpose of: debt bondage or forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery; or the removal of organs through the use of coercion or intimidation; or receiving profit or anything of value, knowing or having reason to know it is derived from [labor trafficking].” Minn. Stat. 609.281 Subd. 5

The MNHTTF is working to address and prevent human trafficking in Minnesota through a coordinated, multidisciplinary and statewide response. MNHTTF has been working to better address human trafficking in Minnesota since its inception in 2006. Specifically, MNHTTF has been instrumental in enacting strong legislation and coordinating anti-trafficking efforts around the state.

Information taken from the Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force website.

To access federal government outreach and awareness materials in multiple languages specifically for victims, service providers, law enforcement, community members, practitioners and more, click on the campaigns below.